MCKC Constitution

(as revised 29 September 1999)

ARTICLE I -- NAME

The name of this organization shall be Missouri Caves and Karst Conservancy, Incorporated.

ARTICLE II -- DURATION

 The terms for which the Missouri Caves and Karst Conservancy, Inc., herein after referred to as MCKC, is organized shall be perpetual.

ARTICLE III -- PURPOSES OF MCKC

  1. To conserve caves and karst areas of the State of Missouri through lease purchase, ownership and management, or other contractual arrangement.
  2. To assist cave owners in the conservation of their cave and karst resources.
  3. To educate the citizens of the State of Missouri about cave and karst conservation and management.
  4. To promote the scientific study of cave and karst environments.
  5. To ensure that the Caving Community continues to have access to caves for exploration and other activities.
  6. To cooperate with all individuals and organizations in achieving the foregoing purposes.

ARTICLE IV -- GOVERNMENT AND MEMBERSHIP

  1. The MCKC shall consist of and be governed by a Board of Directors, herein after referred to as Board.
  2. The Board shall be the legal representative of the MCKC and act as its governing and administrative body in conducting business.
  3. The MCKC shall have members, who shall have the power to elect two members of the Board.
  4. The MCKC shall establish and maintain a system of regional advisors from within the MCKC membership to serve as local contacts and sources of information for the Board.

ARTICLE V -- MEEETINGS

The meetings shall be held at times and places as designated by the Board and provided in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI -- FINANCES

  1. The MCKC may solicit and accept funds for its operations. The Board shall have control of the receipt, management, and disbursements of the funds of the MCKC.
  2. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, Directors, officers or other private persons except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article III hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidates for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any of their activities not permitted to be carried on:
  1. by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), or
  2. by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

ARTICLE VII --  INCORPORATION

The MCKC shall be incorporated under the laws of the "General Not For Profit Corporation Act of the State of Missouri", Chapter 355 of the revised statutes. The corporation in all respects shall comply with requirements of this act and the law of the State of Missouri.

ARTICLE VIII -- DISSOLUTION

Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such manner or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board shall determine.

ARTICLE IX -- AMENDMENTS

The Constitution of the MCKC may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board.. All proposed amendments shall be presented in writing to the Board at least thirty (30) days prior to the regular meeting.